It's a fantasy epic. Not a fantasy perhaps as defined by Tolkien in On Fairy Stories nor an epic as defined by Aristotel in Poetics, but certainly both in our modern context. Martin's Westeros ain't no Tolkien's Middle Earth either: no elves here, neither orcs, wizards nor heroes; only humans, smart court intrigues and additional fantasy elements vivid enough to satisfy. The story in unconventionally organized into chapters titled by the character through whose eyes it is told. Every chapter ends with a cliffhanger, what is really cool at first, but gets even cooler (the last one is a CLiffanger on its own). Fairly said, the writing is ambitious and detailed - truly jolly - (the Visery's execution, e.g., is a thrill to re-read, lo, behold and gasp). Martin isn't short for a good sense of humor either - remember the pacting of marriages between Lady Catelyn & Lord Walder.

So, G.R.R. Martin or J.R.R. Tolkien? I would go for Tolkien. Yes, Martin is super, but Tolkien is superb! Butt my but, but that but really doesn't mean much, since Tolkien was, is the history, the bible, the antique; and Martin, well, Martin is here, now, and he is fierce, and as I said super. Go get'im.

A Song Of Ice And Fire was recomended to me by five very different individuals. Nevertheless I was reluctant to read it at first. Why read another fantasy saga when I have read The Lord Of The Rings? What could possibly match it? That is why I put of reading it for so long. After I finally picked it up I didn't read it - I devoured it.

I started reading the book the day I got it and did not stop until I read the last sentence two days later. Found out that the book actually does not end there. Had the urge to go to bookstore to buy A Clash of Kings. While reading though I felt now and then that the author takes one step too far, adds a superfluous sentence here and there. There were situations and myths that reminded me of other books and authors. It seems that the major part of the world created by G.R.R. Martin consists of the Middle Ages blended with magic. Nevertheless the pace is swift, the stories of different narrators are craftly intervowen and there is not a dull moment in a book. It even gives you a laugh or two. I loved the part of the novel that takes place by the Wall. The promise of the winter coming. And another and then another and at last the concluding volume of A Song of Ice and Fire.